SWAN Blasts Oyo Youth And Sports Commissioner For Neglect

SWAN Blasts Oyo Youth And Sports Commissioner For Neglect

Ibrahim Lateef

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter, has strongly condemned its exclusion from the Ministry of Youth and Sports' press briefing regarding the hosting of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match between the Falconets and She Amavubi, scheduled for Saturday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

In a communiqué issued after the SWAN Congress, and signed by Comrade Wale Olaniyan, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, the Congress expressed its dissatisfaction with the Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports for neglecting Oyo SWAN during the press briefing for the Falconets vs. Rwanda match.

The Congress voiced disappointment over the invitation extended by the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, to non-sports journalists, thereby sidelining accredited SWAN members.

Oyo SWAN demands an immediate apology from the Commissioner’s office for this act of exclusion.

While Oyo SWAN, led by Chairman Otunba Ayomikun Ajibola, holds the Oyo State Government in high esteem, it will not hesitate to bring its grievances to the attention of Governor Seyi Makinde regarding the treatment received from the Commissioner for Sports. 

The situation can only be resolved through an unreserved apology from the Commissioner to SWAN. The Congress also called for unity and solidarity among all Oyo SWAN members.

It emphasized the importance of a united front to effectively address common challenges and advance the interests of sports journalism in the state.

Additionally, the Congress announced a boycott of all 3SC home matches due to ongoing accreditation issues and the disrespect shown to SWAN members during Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) home games.

Members strongly condemned the disrespectful remarks made by Mr Idris Animashun, who works closely with the club’s management, claiming authority over all journalists in Oyo State.

As a result, the Congress resolved to initiate an immediate boycott of all 3SC home matches and a complete media blackout until these issues are satisfactorily addressed and a formal apology is issued to Oyo SWAN.

The body also welcomed the Yoruba Sports Broadcasters Association (YOSBA) in its mission to uphold professionalism and promote the Yoruba language and culture under the SWAN umbrella.

Oyo SWAN pledges to collaborate with YOSBA for the growth of sports journalism in the state, announcing that there is no rift between SWAN and YOSBA.

To protect the integrity of the association, the Congress authorized a membership audit and platform sanitization. To ensure order and transparency, the Congress will conduct an immediate audit of its membership.

All individuals who are not bona fide members of Oyo SWAN will be removed from the association’s official WhatsApp platform.

This exercise aims to clean the platform and streamline communication for genuine members, as stated in the communiqué.